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Performing Art

Arts and Entertainment
Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011
5 years ago

Black Tie & Tales

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by:
Molly Schechter
Contributing Writer

+ Let me call you sweetheart
Renowned baritone Dominic Cossa, now retired and a professor of voice at University of Maryland, is the first man to be selected as its sweetheart by the Sarasota Opera Guild. He charmed many a guest at two recent events in his honor. Among them: opera board member Elayne Kalberman, who was certain she had heard Cossa sing at the Met but wasn’t sure what role. She asked him, “Did you sing Pagliacci at the Met in the early ’70s?” His reply: “Thousands of times.” See more photos from the reception here, and from the luncheon, here.

+ TidbitsOne Woman in Power is enough … the wise-and-wonderfully-community-minded Matthew Bower, managing director of PNC Wealth Management, in Sarasota, is changing the name of his bank-sponsored luncheon series from “Women in Power” to “Women in Partnership” ... Heartwarming housewarming … Barely three months after moving into a new condo at Regent Place, Joe and Ora Mendels hosted a friendraiser for Jewish Family & Children’s Service. Dr. Joe Mendels said, “In these economic times, JFCS services are more needed than ever, and we feel it is particularly urgent to support them” …

Here’s a first … Key Chorale will perform with Circus Sarasota for Cirque des Voix Friday, Feb. 25. Light bites and libations at 5:30 p.m. precede the 7:30 p.m. show; tickets starting at $100 include both. Judy Bloch, Marian Moss and her mom, Gloria Moss, are co-chairs. For info and tickets, contact Jan Docking at [email protected] or 924-0790, orSusan Brainerd at 387-8414 … And here’s another … Rising ballroom dance stars Frantiska Yordanova and Thomas Papkala will make their Sarasota debut as part of Sarasota Orchestra’s “Behind the Mask” gala March 5, at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. The team represents Poland in international competitions and placed in the finals of the European Championships in November. The graceful hand of symphony supporter and ballroom enthusiast Bev Marsh is evident here. Anne Folsom Smith and Beathe Elden co-chair the event, which also includes Broadway tunes performed by the Sarasota Orchestra, dinner and dancing to the music of Double Vision. Tickets are $295 from Rebecca Campbell at 487-2743 … A model Michael … Realtor Michael Moulton made his runway debut at SPARCC’s Second Hand Rose luncheon supported by a table of cheerleaders, including his wife, Katie Moulton, Eileen Curd, Graci McGillicuddy, Jeanne Russell and Charlene Wolff. The not-too-quiet ladies were armed with shakers, a big “MICHAEL” sign and confetti …

+ The elemental Element Au
The lead-up to Element Au, the season’s grand-finale benefit for the YMCA Foundation in May, got under way with a thank-you party for sponsors and patrons Feb. 7, at the Ritz Beach Club … Take two: Debbie Seitl, one of four chairs two years ago, is doing a solo turn this year. Her hubby, Wayne, has had a strong Y affiliation for 35 years … Short game …Norman Cavedo and Amy Owen were perfecting their putting on a mini green in the dining room with Ritz-Carlton assistant golf pro Nicholas Arthur … Ich bin ein Berliner … Sharon Petrik surprised many guests with the announcement that she is leaving in July for Berlin to run a company in the nano-technology field. See photos here.

This Sarasota favorite sells out virtually every year, and it is well on its way to doing so again with only a few reservations remaining at press time. Co-Chairs Stephanie Hannum and Molly Klauber got it off to a good start with a charity bartender pre-party last fall. The town loves the event for its fabulous New Orleans food, for its freedom of dress (street party casual and costumes welcome) and for the opportunity to vote for the Mardi Gras king and queen. This year’s candidates are K.C. and Tami Fox, Sheriff Tom and Tracy Knight and Maurice and Vanessa Opstal. It’s $1 per vote, and you can start supporting your choice now by voting online atwww.goodwillindustries.org/get_involved/donations.